Definition of Asian carp
:any of several freshwater, cyprinid fishes (such as the bighead carp, silver carp, and grass carp) that are native to Asia and were accidentally introduced into U.S. waters where they have spread widely and are often considered pests
- Feeding on vegetation and plankton, Asian carp—which actually encompasses four varieties of carp—are fast, prolific breeders that can weigh up to 100 pounds and eat several times their body weight a day.
- —Joel Hood, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2010
- Asian carp were imported in the 1970s to remove pond algae from catfish farms and quickly spread north along the Mississippi, Ohio, and Illinois rivers.
- —Discover, May 2010
Note:
In the U.S., Asian carp are considered invasive species, and have had a detrimental environmental impact due to their rapid rate of reproduction and voracious appetite.
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